During the Second Great Awakening, people became convinced they could reshape the world. There are several Utopian movements, both secular and religious. One of the largest, but short lived was Robert Owen’s New Harmony. Owen wanted his people to reject competition and instead work together with what he called social engineering. Members bartered for good with their labor. Eventually the members became too lazy and when Owen rejected marriage and any private possessions, this community fell apart.
Historically Speaking 